Meta & Oakley Team Up to Launch Smart Glasses
In a move that expands its wearable technology presence, Meta Platforms Inc. is partnering with Oakley to release new smart glasses. This collaboration expands beyond prior work with Ray-Ban, signaling a fresh push into the competitive smart glasses market.
Enhanced Features and Design
The latest models, inspired by Oakley‘s HSTN design, offer enhanced video recording capabilities. These devices can make and receive calls, play music, take photos and videos, plus answer questions using artificial intelligence. Pricing begins at $399, with a premium model featuring gold detailing priced at $499.
The new glasses boast almost double the battery life, 3K resolution video recording, and water resistance. Alex Himmel, the company’s vice president of Wearables, mentioned that these improvements aim to address consumer demands. He stated, “We are increasingly seeing cases of performance use with ray-bans, such as people using them on roller coasters, riding a bicycle and near the water, so we are trying to base it.”
AI Integration and Future Plans
Meta‘s expansion into smart glasses follows the release of the Ray-Ban Stories in 2023, which enjoyed great success. The company’s focus on these screen-free glasses is part of its wider AI hardware strategy. Meta plans to release more advanced glasses with screens, which will provide notifications and camera displays later this year.
The market for smart glasses is intensifying, with several tech giants entering the arena. For instance, Apple Inc. plans to launch its first smart glasses at the end of 2026, which will integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. Globally, the smart glasses market is expected to reach $34 billion by 2028 (Grand View Research, 2024).
Competition and Innovation
Meta also has plans for a range of Oakley glasses, including a design for cyclists, to be released later this year. These will have a centralized camera. The social media giant intends to launch its first augmented reality glasses in 2027. The augmented reality glasses are designed to integrate digital apps with the real world.